Re: [Leica] Apo 2x Extender-R on Apo-Telyt-R 280/4

[Lucien <lucien@ubi.edu>]

K K Hui wrote:
> 
> I posted the following message sometime ago but getting no response. So
> here it is again ..
> 
> The Apo-Telyt-R 280/4 is an awesome lens and is one of my favourite. I'd
> want to add an Apo 2x Extender-R for my bird photography. Would
> appreciate users feedback on this combo in terms of ease of focusing as
> the effective aperature will be f8 and optical quality. I'm using the R8
> with this setup.
> Many Thanks

I had the chance to try both the APO 280/4 and APO 280/2,8 (11 263) 
(old with 5,5 filter drawer), both with ROM, together
with APO 1,4X and APO 2X (both without ROM) during the last 2 months.
(with R8, winder, universal and plain ground glass screen).

My personnal classification of the various combination is
(ease of use, handling, focusing with the UNIVERSAL screen, etc...)

1) 280/4
because it's lighter (1,875 kg against 2,8 kg), shorter and because 
of the minimum focusing distance - (1,7 m instead of 2,5 m).
2) 280/2,8
because of the brighter screen, the higher speed available, 
the better handling with the palm-grip and the push buttons instead
of the screw on button of the rotating collar.
3) 280/4   + 1,4x = 400/5,6  and  280/2,8 + 1,4 = 400/4
ex-aequo because the minimum focusing distance is less important
with a 400mm and because the higher speed is becoming more important.
5) 280/2,8 + 2X = 560/5,6
because of the brighter screen, which make the universal screen 
still fully useable and again the higher speed.
6) 280/4   + 2X = 560/8

With the plain ground glass screen, the 280/4 + 2x is ex-aequo, 
but I don't feel confortable with that screen.
(Ted! Don't jump on your keyboard...)

Regarding the pics that I took "hand held" or with monopod, I was pleased with:

1)280/2,8
2)280/4 alone and 280/2,8 + 1,4X = 400/4
3)280/4 + 1,4X = 400/5,6
And not so pleased with the other combinations.
With a tripod it was totally different!

BTW, what I miss a lot is a "single shot" position on the winder.
I made a lot of duplicate !

What is strange is that at the larger aperture, both the lenses,
when attached to the APO 1,4X, showed f3,4 on the viewfinder display (R8)
instead of f2,8 or f4. Bizarre !

Conclusion:

If a good tripod is available, all the combinations are really, really excellent.
If I have to choose only one extender, I'll take the 1,4X instead of the 2X.

Irrational conclusion: If a back-pack is available, I'll choose the 280/2,8 **.
;-)

Lucien


**But not the APO-TELYT-R Modul-System f/2.8/280 
even if it offer a minimum focusing of 2.0 m instead of 2,5m
and a top handgrip (cumbersome). 
Why ?
Because of its weight of 3,7 kg instead of 2,8 kg,
because of the lack of palm-grip (there is an optionnal palm-grip 
in the Leica System Guide, but the handlig don't seem to be the same
when attached to the Modul-System),
because of the push buttons instead of the screw on button of the rotating
collar and 
because of the white instead of black paint.
IMO, contrary to the old 280/2,8, the APO MODUL-SYSTEM was intended 
for tripod use only, now that there is a APO 280/4.